Scandinavia has long been a popular destination for holidaymakers, and Copenhagen usually features right at the top of the list for people visiting one of the Scandinavian countries. The capital of Denmark has history, style, and a rebellious nature all going for it – not to mention a buzzing city centre, soft, sandy beaches and a famous port which you can arrive at after booking a ferry from Ferryscanner.com. Well known for its outstanding quality of life, Copenhagen is somewhere to enjoy short city breaks or longer stays. So if you’re eager to visit The City of Spires, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a list of the best things to do in Copenhagen.
Perhaps the most famous attraction in Copenhagen, Tivoli Gardens is a historic theme park dating back to 1914. It’s the world’s second-oldest theme park (funnily enough, the oldest is also in Copenhagen) and was the inspiration for Walt Disney. Today, you can watch live concerts in the park, play old-fashioned carnival games, admire the floral displays and ride one of the world’s oldest wooden roller coasters.
Arguably the prettiest place in Copenhagen, Nyhavn is an idyllic spot in Copenhagen with pastel-hued merchants’ houses from the 18th century that are postcard-perfect. It’s a great place to join a canal tour, browse the contemporary art gallery at Kunsthal Charlottenborg or just sit by the canal and enjoy a drink or two and you soak up the local atmosphere.
Freetown Christiania is a unique and autonomous district in Copenhagen that essentially acts as a city within a city. Known as a hippie hotspot with bohemian vibes, Christiania is famous for its Green Light District, thanks to how easy it was to buy marijuana. Today, however, the landscape is vastly different. Christiania is a thriving community with lots of tourists who mix with the 900 residents. There are restaurants and bars to visit, as well as peaceful parks. It’s also a no-car zone, so you can wander the streets and hop in and hop out of local bars and organic shops completely traffic-free.
Copenhagen caters to all tastes, including those looking for some serious retail therapy. Head to Stroget for a pedestrian street that seems to go on forever with designer boutiques and high-street shopping. It’s among the largest pedestrian malls in the world and has some of the highest prices too. Carry on following Stroget into the Old City for independent shops and speciality businesses that have operated in Copenhagen for generations.
One of the city’s summer hubs, Amager Beach Park offers an escape from the buzz of the city centre, even though it’s only five kilometres from City Hall Square. Soft and sandy beaches await you at Amager Beach Park – you can do just about everything from swimming and sunbathing to running, cycling, sailing, kayaking and snorkelling.
There’s so much to do and see in Copenhagen, and you could spend weeks here discovering something new every day. But if it’s your first trip and you’re looking to see some of the best places in the city, our suggestions act as a great starting point and offer lots of variety. From high-class shopping to long stretches of beach, Copenhagen has it all and more.